Can I really get a grant to start a business as a woman entrepreneur? If so, where do I go for such a thing?

Answer 1

It is hard to find grants to start a business -- even for women. There are several government LOAN programs available to women entrepreneurs, and women entrepreneurs can get certifications to allow them to compete better in the government contracting process, but NOT grants.

Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html...

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

Answer 2

No. Unless your business involves the development of new technology or is a non-profit organization, you will be wasting your time looking for a grant. Read what the Small Business Administration has to say about this:

QUESTION: Are there any grants to start a business?
ANSWER No. Even though many publications and talk shows publicize grants to small businesses there is only one grant available and that is for research and development for technology based products and services for the government.

So now what? If you are looking for funds for your business or other needs, take a look at my Government Loans and Other Financial Resources Page. There you'll find resources relating to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, State and Local Economic Development Programs, non-government business funding, and funding for rural businesses, housing, and farms. You'll find information on other ways of getting money for your new business on my Small Business Page.

Answer 3

There are DEFINITELY grants out there. Not loans, actual grants. They work like scholarships a lot of times if they are from foundations or organizations. You write a business proposal sort of thing and they choose through different ones. One of my old bosses told me about it and how his wife and another women he knew BOTH got big money grants for opening a small business or service (one was a photographer, the other an artist).
I don't know a whole lot about it yet, but I know they're there.
Also, the government has them. Usually you go to the city or soemthing and there should be a department that covers that kind of stuff. I know they're out there, but I"m sorry I haven't gotten one myself so I dont know where to go. In college I took some entreprenuer classes and they said where, but I dont remember!

Answer 4

I believe you can check the SBA website for that.
You can also Google "women business" and probably come up with a billion or so websites.
But yes, the grants do exist. You'll have to jump through hoops to get one, but if you're starting up a legitamate business, you'll have all the right paperwork anyway. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

You do not need any grant if you want to make money with google adsense. Anyone can start doing that for free. All you need is to have a website or blogger. Check it out below!

Answer 6

the Small Business Administration is the place to go. This government agency is all about getting help to small businesses, and they seek to provide financial help to women and minorities on top of all the other great things they offer.

Answer 7

Excellent Question!

Here are some resources for you!

http://www.womanowned.com/

http://www.ventureworthy.com/Women-starting-a-business-grant.asp

http://www.proposalwriter.com/small.html

http://www.womensbusinessgrants.com/linktous.shtml

Lots of luck!

Answer 8

THERE IS LOANS BUT NO GRANTS . PEOPLE ARE SORELY MISINFORMED ON THAT . THE SBA IS THE LENDER AND OR GUARANTOR OF THE LOAN BUT THERE IS NO GRANTS .